riends,
I have been observing this Democratic Party primary season more or less silently (okay I posted a couple of blogs)--waiting with baited breath for what happened in the history of our country last night. My mother, a pioneer in her own right died 2 years ago. My sister and I cried together on the phone last night just wishing that my mom could have lived to see this day. And yes, this is an enormous event in the history of African Americans. It has been just 200 years since the end of the slave trade and less than that since the Civil War and Jim Crow.
I was born in Montgomery, Alabama which was the last capital of the Confederacy in that awful conflict of the past versus the future--between right and wrong. But this is not a narrative about a single black man or about black people. What happened last night shows what is possible for all Americans and just how far our country has come when people are willing to stand up and be counted especially when the implications are serious, the causes emotional and the people bitterly divided.
I suggest to you my friends that now is precisely one of those times. I am an imperfect man and certainly I have made some poor choices in my life as my mom would certainly attest if she could. I remember her being interviewed by the Secret Service for a character reference for my top secret security clearance when I worked on counter-terrorism. She told them, "He's a good boy but, he needs to get closer to Jesus." I will never forget her recounting the conversation to me. But I have been blessed by my mom's wisdom and guidance and all of the opportunities I have been afforded by America ever since.
Today we are faced with another stark choice--a choice for which I believe there will be no fence. Today we are faced with a choice between faith that we can actually do something constructive about our future or the same cynicism that nothing can really change so we should all just focus on our own families and financial challenges and opportunities. Today we have a choice between compassion and self-interest--justice for the few who can live without society and the vast majority of Americans who depend up the very existence of society. Today we have a choice between fear and the kind of real security that only comes through strength with diplomacy. Today we have a choice between coming together as a people and having contentious discussions to find truth and agreement or remaining divided over every wedge issue that defends nothing other than the status quo.
We want a leader with courage and integrity who has known the struggles of an everyday American. A lot of people have stopped believing that may even be possible.
I haven't stopped believing. I support Barack Obama because he is that leader.
Join me in supporting Barack by making a donation to my personal fundraising page:
This campaign for the presidency is unparalleled in history. Our need for an honest, fresh-thinking leader could not be more urgent. Americans are hungry for change and Barack Obama will bring that change when he is elected.
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...still, just and always...FredFerg
What are you willing to do?
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